Friends across the Fence

The South and Vale Community Safety Partnership are working with colleagues in environmental health on a campaign to help people who believe they have anti-social neighbours.

We are happy to support people in resolving incidents of anti social behaviour. However, some of these relate to low level neighbour disputes which could be easily resolved through simple communication. The campaign aims to empower residents to take responsibility of smaller problems before escalating to the council or police. The campaign also aims to raise awareness of preventative steps residents can take to maintain healthy relationships with their neighbours.

Please follow our flow chart below for guidance on how to deal with anti social behaviour.

How to use the flowchart

After following the chart, you should arrive at one or more of the seven advice boxes at the bottom.  Beneath the chart there are some explanatory notes for each of the boxes.  If the chart takes you to more than one of the boxes, it means you can choose your next step, dependent on your circumstances.

Contact your housing association: If you are a tenant of a housing association, they may be able to help with mediation if you are having difficulties with a neighbour.

• Soha Housing
• A2 Dominion

Call ASB Co-ordinator: Our anti-social behaviour co-ordinator is available on 01491 823057 during office hours or via email community.safety@southoxon.gov.uk.

Call Police on 999: You must only dial 999 in a genuine emergency, for example, if you feel in immediate danger from an aggressive individual. Otherwise you must call the non-emergency number 101.

Call Police on 101: This number can be used to report crimes, vehicles blocking your property or the public highway or for general advice.

Emergency out of hours service: This can be used in the event of extreme or severe noise disturbances from your neighbours.  Call 01491 824033 or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/emergencycontacts.

Complete an online form: You can report a problem 24 hours a day online via our report form.

Contact Environmental Protection during working hours: You can report an issue directly to Environmental Health during the working day by calling 01491 823203 or via email.

We will not be able to intervene: If we are unable to intervene directly, you can still find advice on what to do via our website by visiting our anti social behaviour page.

For more information please contact Mandeep Mann (Shared ASB Co-ordinator) on 01491 823057 or e-mail: mandeep.mann@southandvale.gov.uk

  Tips on speaking to your neighbours 

• Try speaking to your neighbours informally if you have experienced a problem. Contacting the council or police before speaking first to resolve the problems, can cause bad feelings between neighbours.
• Choose a good time to talk and only when you are feeling calm.
• Do not assign blame, talk about the affects the behaviour has had on you. This will prevent your neighbour becoming defensive. 
• Try to keep the discussion light hearted and friendly. It may be that there is a situation you are unaware of and this could clear the air between you. Alternatively, your neighbour may be completely unaware of the disturbance they are causing you.
• If you can't or don't want to approach your neighbour in person, try writing to them and outlining your concerns instead.
• If you choose to write to your neighbour, remember to keep it clear and stick to the facts.

To see tips on how to prevent anti social behaviour.

 Useful Links

To complete an Environmental Health online report form.

To contact Environmental Health out of hours.

To contact your anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, complete the online report form, or phone 01491 823057 during office hours or email